Tuality Healthcare
Building a healthier community.
Center for Geriatric Psychiatry
Tuality Forest Grove Hospital
1809 Maple Street
Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
503-359-6969
Delusions and Hallucinations
Seeing things, hearing voices or expressing
strange ideas can be the result of a brain
disease, a reaction to prescribed medication,
alcohol or illicit drugs, or a symptom of a
physical problem. Most patients who
experience these problems will have them
resolved by the time they are discharged
from the Geriatric Center. In some cases
however, the goal of treatment is to reduce
the hallucinations and /or delusions to the
extent they will not have serious impact
on the person’s ability to function as
independently as possible. In elders
hallucinations and delusions are frequently
accompanied by poor problem solving
abilities and memory loss. This limits their
ability to tell what is real from what isn’t.
As long as their delusions and/or
hallucinations are not causing serious
difficulties in his/her ability to function,
they are usually harmless. If you do notice
an increase in agitation or a decline in self
care related to the hallucinations and/or
delusions, notify the doctor.
Any significant change in frequency,
duration or nature of hallucinations and/or
delusions should be discussed with the
doctor. Such changes could indicate a
problem with medication, a progression
in the disease process, or a change in the
individual’s medical condition. Do not try
to address the change through manipulating
his/her medication on your own. This can
lead to serious complications.
Common behaviors associated with
delusions and/or hallucinations:
Mumbling to him/herself.
Gesturing as if taking to someone.
Unable to concentrate on task at hand.
Listening when there is no external
auditory stimuli.
Speaking of people or things
that cannot be seen.
Expressing bizarre thoughts and/or ideas.
Interrupted sleep.
Interventions to assist in managing
behavior in elders:
Redirect to new activity.
Assure that medications
are being taken/given.
Provide for his/her safety,
comfort and support.
Reduce external stimulation.
In most cases, do not challenge his/her
thoughts or ideas. It will only increase
agitation and likelihood of escalated
behavior problems. Go with the flow.
Check with him/her on a regular basis
to determine if the voices are telling
him/her to hurt self or others. If so,
contact the doctor.
Maintain your sense of humor.
Explain to family that the bizarre
behaviors are not dangerous and tell
them what to expect before visiting.